College Experiences That Helped An Equitable Decarbonization Advocate At Natural Resources Defense Council Succeed
Olivia, an Equitable Decarbonization Advocate, stresses the importance of cultivating strong professional references during undergraduate studies, advising students to "make a really strong connection with your manager" or professors in relevant fields. Equally crucial is maintaining an open mind regarding academic pursuits, exploring diverse subjects to discover unexpected passions, and being willing to adapt career plans, a strategy which Olivia feels contributed to their professional success and happiness.
Networking, Mentorship, Open-mindedness, Career Exploration, Academic Excellence
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Olivia Walker
Equitable Decarbonization Advocate
Natural Resources Defense Council
Yale University, 2016
UCLA FEMBA
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Build strong relationships with professors and mentors: Actively seek out opportunities to connect with professors and other professionals in your field of interest. Strong references are crucial for job applications.
2. Maintain an open mind about your academic path: Don't be afraid to explore different subjects and areas of study. Unexpected classes or experiences can lead to fulfilling career paths.
3. Prioritize networking: Actively network with people in your field. Attend events, join clubs, and build connections that can support your career goals. These connections are invaluable later on for job searching and career advancement.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad that has contributed to your career success?
One of the most important things I did was ensure I had references. References are one of the most difficult things for an undergraduate student to get, especially depending on the size of your university. UCLA is an incredibly large school, so it can be more difficult to make personal connections with professors or even with someone at the graduate school with whom you've established a working relationship.
A lot of undergrads are focused on doing their academics well, alongside other commitments. These might include student jobs, extracurricular activities, or home life. It's really difficult to balance all of that and still think about who will be able to vouch for you. Most undergraduates don't think about this until it's too late.
If you have a student job or a job outside of school, make a strong connection with your manager so they can vouch for your work ethic. If you have a class closely related to the field you want to enter, build a strong relationship with that professor and ensure you get top marks. This way, they can vouch for your abilities in that area.
Connect with any campus leaders you can. If you don't have those connections, you can't list them on your job applications after school, which makes the process that much more difficult. I was intentional, especially in my junior and senior years, about pursuing those connections and building relationships.
Once I graduated, I could reach out and it wouldn't feel out of the blue or transactional. It would feel like a friend or mentor was authentically vouching for me. That's really important.
As I mentioned before, I went to school with a more open mind about what I would study than many people do. When people get to college, they often have a specific outcome or career path in mind. Being open-minded is crucial.
You might take a class that totally changes your mind. Exposing yourself to a large diversity of academic experiences helps you discover things you might unexpectedly fall in love with. Being open to changing your plans will make you much happier in your career. When you're happier, you'll work better, do a better job, and ultimately succeed more.
I'm grateful I was in a position to change my mind or pursue an unexpected path.